Gifu

Gifu (岐阜市, Gifu-shi) is a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used the area as a base in an attempt to unify and control Japan. Gifu continued to flourish even after Japan's unification as both an important shukuba along the Edo period Nakasendō and, later, as one of Japan's fashion centers. Before becoming a modern city, it was part of the former Atsumi District, but it has since been designated a core city by the national government.

Located on the alluvial plain of the Nagara River, Gifu has taken advantage of the surrounding natural resources to create both traditional industries (including Mino washi and agriculture) and tourism opportunities like cormorant fishing.Mount Kinka, one of the city's major symbols, is home to a nationally designated forest and Gifu Castle, a replica of Nobunaga's former castle. Gifu also hosts many festivals and events throughout the year.

Gifu (region)

Gifu (岐阜) is the southcentral portion of Gifu Prefecture in the Chūbu region of Japan. It shares its name with the prefecture and the capital city of Gifu. The borders of this region are not officially set, but it generally consists of the following cities and towns: Gifu, Kakamigahara, Hashima, Mizuho, Motosu, Yamagata, Kasamatsu, Ginan and Kitagata.

Geography

The northern part of the region is separated from Fukui Prefecture by tall mountain ranges. To the west, the Gifu region is separated from the Seinō region by the Nagara and Ibi rivers. To the south, the region is separated from Aichi Prefecture by the Kiso River. It is separated from the Chūnō region to the east by mountains that are only about 300 m (984 ft) in height.

Approximately 45% of the region is less than 100 m (328 ft) above sea level. The lowest point is around Hashima, which is only 5 m (16 ft). Heading north, it climbs to 14 m (46 ft) above sea level around Gifu City Hall and 175 m (574 ft) in the Neo area of Motosu.

Gifu (disambiguation)

Gifu is the capital city of Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

Gifu (岐阜) may also refer to: